Method and apparatus for handling continuously spun artificial threads or the like



K. M. M LELLAN ET AL 2,611,924 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTINUOUSLY ARTIFICIAL THREADS OR THE LIKE Sept. 30, 1952 METHOD AND SPUN Filed Dec. 21, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET l 8 lllllllllllllll IO N [ INVENTORS KENNETH M. McLELLAN 8 RICHARD W STANLEY Wffi/fl W ATT NEY Sept. 30, 1952 MCLELLAN ET AL 2,611,924

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTINUOUSLY SPUN ARTIFICIAL THREADS OR THE LIKE Filed D80. 21, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 l6 .0 v I I as 96 I I e7 -2o 28 I I I t Lfl INVENTORS KENNETH M.McLELLAN 8 RICHARD W. STANLE-Y Patented Sept. 30, 1952 DLING CONTINUOUSLY SPUN ARTI- FICIAL (Ht LIKE Kenneth M. McLellan, Cleveland, and Richard W. Stanley, Rocky, River, Ohio, assignors-to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application December 21, 1950, Serial No. 201,896

a 16 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling continuously spun artificial oi. rs-s) filaments, threads, or the like. I

In general, continuous spinning is performed" on apparatuses having all essential elementsand devices for withdrawing and progressing thread;- or filaments, over a path along which a plurality of processing steps are performed; the thread being finally collected in the form of a'package adapted for further handling. -The collected artificial filaments; or thread, are 'then further subjected to subsequent textile operationspre paratory to the making of finished goods.

The path through which a processed thread travels is generally irregular and sometimes it is not adapted to meet efficient operations where space and labor are concerned since the path is defined by the devices utilized in forwarding, treating, and collecting thread. Of the several reels being used the type of thread store, thread advancing reel disclosed in the Knebusch Patent 2,210,914 is advantageously adapted for: an ei-' ficient incorporation in'a thread handling apparatus for continuous spinning. Because of its relatively small size and function such a reel is adapted to be advantageously positioned to form a spinning apparatus that provides for economy of space, direction ot thread travel, accessibility to all portions of the thread path from a work'- ing area even to a proximate and advantageous location of a collecting mechanism, for the collection of the processed thread.

An apparatus embodying such advantageously arranged and positioned thread store, thread advancing devices may economically comprise back-to-back operating faces each of which is adapted to be powered by the same driving means, as well as supplied by a-common processing liquid distributing means. Further, thearrangement of a plurality of reels in a vertical ascendancy, each reel being positioned forward of its predecessor provides an operating face that is readily accessible to an operator from a unit working area, A common thread collecting means may advantageously be utilizedwith such a spinning. apparatus spaced from the reels and at an accessible level to an operator.

The apparatus of this invention and the method embody the above advantages. A coagulating bath substantially on the groundfloor forms the start of a thread path generally outlined by a plurality of reels positioned above the bath, each protruding beyond the other in their ascendency, rising to a height still within reach of an operator then over spaced guides to a threadcollection apparatus.v Before the thread leaves the last of I the reels the thread is completely processed, it then traverses accessible overhead guides across a working area to the collecting apparatus.- V

The thread passes over an operator as a,

finished thread and at an elevation within his reach above the working space formed by the space between the face of the spinning apparatus.

and the thread collecting devices. The, apparatus, because of the advantageousarranga ment of reels which'define an accessible thread" path along which a thread is completely treated then finally collected in a common collecting area advantageously provides for a spinning machine that occupies a minimum of space and one; that requires a minimumof labor to attend'it."

Generally, the apparatus is limited to about the height of a single floor, a height that will per-- mit'an operator to. attend not only the processing face while standing on the floor of the workingarea but also the adjacent collecting devices of the finished-thread. The apparatus and method will be more'clearly understood from the following description and the accompanying drawing;

where I Figure 1 represents an end view of the ap paratus of the invention;

Figure 2 represents a partial elevation of a face or bank of reels forming one side of the apparatus facing an operator;

Figure 3 represents a common thread collect ing apparatus taken along lines 3.3 of Figure. 1; Figure represents'a partial plan view of the common endless belt collecting and supply. means to the thread collection apparatus; and. I Figure 5 represents in greater detail an en view of one faceof .the spinning apparatusof Figure 1 showing a commonpower source for driving the reels. 5

Referring to the drawing there is shown 1111 Figures 1 and 5 a spinning machine for the handling'of artificial filamentary, materials such' as viscose rayon-threads and the like. The machine comprises two diverging reel banks or faces It i and l l back-tc back with a working space therebetween, each reel bank or machine face includes a coagulating bath and thereabove a plurality of reels arranged in inclined vertical planes. The reels are arranged so that each is positioned forward to a preceding reel in ascendancy form-; ing a thread path'that inclines vertically to a facing operator. j

vViscose solution extruding devices, orspin-Y nerets l5, form artificial filaments or threads 16 in the coagulating bath M. The threads-I6 are withdrawn from the bath by thread store, thread advancing reels 20 positioned above the bath l4 then forwarded to the next higher reels 2 i; from reel 2| the threads are thence forwarded to the next higherpositioned reels 22, and finally to the drier reels 23-. During the interval of time that a thread travels over each reel it is subjected thereon to various liquid treatments by the liquiddistributors IT, l8, l9 which yield a thread having desired final characteristics. The final; treat ment, after progressing from the spinning bath and over the reels 22, is that of drying on the terminal reels 23.

The thread I6 upon leaving. a drier reel 23 is led by means of guides 25, 26' to an adjacent common thread collecting device, such as a cap spinning apparatus generally designated. by the. numeral 28. The thread It is led to the cap spinning apparatus through the twisting guide 21, it is then twisted and collected on the rotating spool 29 positioned about the spindle 3 t which is driven by the driving belt 30. The thread collecting apparatus 28 and an adjacent one T4 are positioned i-ntermediately' of a pair of inclined reel ban-ks or faces to serve as a single and common thread collecting means. A common traverse F8 supporting both cap spinning apparatuses 28', M, actuate the spools 29 and 75. As shown, the cap spinning apparatus is supplied with spools or bobbins by a common endless belt 40'. Full spools are removed from the area by the same endless belt 46- and' empty spools are provided.

Theface- H of the thread' forming and spinning machine is identical to the fac t". A thread i6 is also formed and. is similarly handled by each such face by a similar thread forming means l5 and'its. path is similarly defined by a similar plurality of reels. The thread is led over similar guiding devices to the common thread collecting area (not shown) such as the cap twister 28: that is positioned ahead of the. face and which thread collecting area. is supplied by a similar common endless belt such as belt 40.

The face or bank 50 of an opposing spinning machine, next in series, is also identical to the rear bank or face H and to the bank or face I0. Itcom-prises a spinning apparatus that is a duplicate in all respects to the faces to and H. A spinneret 52 extrudes a viscose solution into a bath 51' to form a thread 56. The thread 54 is withdrawn by the reel' 55 positioned above the bath and from there it is forwarded in a generally vertical direction to succeeding reels 5B, 51 and 58. Treatments are applied by the liquid distributors 60, 6 l and 52. After a final dryingon reel 58 the fully processed yarn 53 is directed by the guides 10', It to the twisting guide I3, to the cap spinner 14 where it is wound on the spool t5 rotating about a spindle Tl driven by the endless belt 16. The cap twisters M and 28 are adapted to be commonly vertically actuated by the common mounting [8 which raises and lowers the bobbins or spools 15,. '29.

The faces i0 and 50 of the oppositely faced spinning machines are each advantageously accessible to an operator. The position of the bath and of each vertical series of reels advantageously occupies a heighth equal to, generally, that of the depth of a single floor. The path of the thread It or of the thread 54 from its start in the coagulating bath to its termination at the cap spinning apparatus is made readily accessible throughout its entire length to an operator from the working area.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5 the reels are arranged so as to be conveniently spaced from each other horizontally and vertically. The reels are positioned in a vertically ascending manner following, generally, the arc of an arm that would bedescribedby an operator, permitting ease of lacing thread from reel to reel and forwarding of it to the collection area, the entire procedure with aneasy turning or pivoting of the body. An adyantageof the type of reel, as disclosed by the Knebusch Batent 2,210,914, is that such reel is a self-threading type so that a thread end need merely be placed over part of its periphery to wind itselr; thereover and progress to the open end. When a thread reaches the final drier reel 23' the operator simply threads up the guides 25, 25 air-1121' with substantially a single motion.

' Advantageously, the thread collection devices 28 and 14 are positioned between the operating faces I U and 50 and serve as a common thread collecting means for the output from both faces.

' They are; spaced and arranged with respect to the adjacent faces 10 and 5.0 to provide for a working space or area 3.5.and so that an operator has immediate. access. to each thread from its formation in a coagulating bath to its collection by the cap. twisters; The reels.- handling the thread are also positioned: in an, inclination and at distances relativev to. each; other and to th a ula baths so that each. includin dr r reel, is within generally an easy arms. rea h f e perator tendin the. spinn n machi u h an rr ng ment; is obviously advan a o a economical use of spaw- Furthermore. the. comm ya collecting area between the so ine s ns 6 d 5B f oppositely faced spi; g machines also provides for a; concentration and completion of essential apparatus in a working area requiring a minimum of. space... and a m n mum u lizati n of w s- The threads to or. are led in inclinedly vertical: directions then overhead at an arms reach with ut interference. r m ad ac t d vi s t an adjacent common thread collecting area. Thus, the apparatus and threads are within an easy availability of an, operator. The adjacent thread collection area is at an advantageous height. and it, is spaced from an operating bank of reels a eistance which requir ner lly a pivoting motion. of; the ody of an oper tor when facing a,v bank of; reels. The yarn can be readily laced through the conveniently positioned guides 26, 21 or H, 7:3 and then on the rotating bobbins 29', T5.

The. thread collecting apparatuses 28 and M are supplied with empty spools or bobbins 28, 15' by the endless belt 40. As shown in Figures 1-, 3, and 4, the conveyor belt 40 is positioned substantially immediately above the cap spinners 28- and ht and between the running threads 16 and 5.4. An empty or a full bobbin can easily be taken off the common endless belt 48 or placed thereon without interference of the running threads since there is generally enough space provided between the running strands to permit an operator to quickly and readily doff or renew the bobbins. Further the space between the vertical running strands I6 and 54 is generally wide enough so as to permit an endless belt to travel therethrough of suihcient width adapted to carry supplies to and from each of the cap spinning sections.

A thread spinning and handling apparatus generally may comprise a series of two sided or back-to-back faced machines, each side or face end. In order to spin thread of generally uni-" form characteristics it is advantageous to drive the reels of both faces through a common drive.

Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a common.

power source designated by the ring gear. 80 which is adapted to drive, through couplings 82, 85, the power take-off shaft SI and therethrough a common reel driving shaft 815 on which are mounted the reel actuating gears 81, 88, .89 and 90. These driven gears mesh with the reel driving gears 95, 96, 91 and 98 respectively. The reels are rotated at predetermined relative speeds. Each pair of banks of reels are driven at similar rates and eachv opposing bank of reels are also similarly driven since the thread from all reels goes to common thread collecting apparatuses. The rayon spinning machine, advantageously, can be arranged in an extended series to produce a great many identical thread ends providing for an endless uniformity of prodnot.

We claim: i

l. The method for handling synthetic filamentary materials during processing comprising forming said filamentary material, advancing said filamentary material over a plurality of storing and advancing devices arrangedto-form a material path that is vertically inclining toward an operator facing said devices, completely processing said filamentary material during the interval from its formation and final discharge from the last of said storing and advancing devices, passing said completely processed filamentary material overhead and within an operators reach to an adjacent collecting means.

2. A method for handling a plurality of synthetic filamentary material ends comprising forming said filamentary material, advancing said material over a plurality of storing and advancing devices arranged to form a path that is vertically inclining toward an operatorfacing said devices, completely processing said material during the interval from its formation and final discharge from the last of said storing and advancing devices, passing said completely processed filamentary'material overhead and within an operators reach to an adjacent collecting.

means spaced from and facing said storing and advancing devices.

'3. The method for handling synthetic filamentary materials comprising, forming said filamentary materials, advancing said filamentary materials over a plurality of temporarily storing andadvancing devices arranged to form a material path that is vertically inclining toward an operator facing said devices, treating and drying said filamentary material during the interval from its formation to final discharge as a dried material from the last of said storing and advancing devices, passing said completely processed filamentary material overhead and within an operators reach to an adjacent collecting means spaced from said storing and advancing devices a distance forming a working area for an operator.

4. The method for handling a pluralityof syn--' thetic filamentary material ends comprising forming a plurality of ends of said filamentary material, advancing said plurality of ends as a sheet each end passing over a single vertical series of a bank of storing and advancingdevices arranged to form apath that is vertically inclinends during the interval from their formation to their final discharge from the last of said devices,

passing said completely processed filamentary material ends as a sheet overhead but within an rayon threads comprising, opposing banks of reels rising vertically and inclining towards each other, a plurality'of a vertical series of thread store, thread advancing reels formin said banks, a longitudinally extending coagulating bath under the lowermost of the reels of said banks, thread forming means in said baths, the thread formed by said thread forming means being-withdrawn by the lowermost of each vertical series of reels and advanced to successively higher positioned reels in each of the series, processing and drying said thread while on said reels, means positioned at about the top of each of v the banks of reels for guiding said thread from the last of the thread store, thread advancing devices on said banks to adjacently positioned threadcollecting means, and said thread collecting means bein positioned within said'opposing banks of reels and substantially intermediate said banks. 6. An apparatus for spinning, viscose rayon thread comprising two diverging banks of reels in a back-to-back relation, a common means for driving the reels of each of said banks, a coagulating bath extending longitudinally below each of said banks of reels, a plurality of thread forming means in said coagulating baths, said reels in each of said banks arranged in a vertical series of reels above said thread forming means, each of said reels above the lowermost reel extending beyond a preceding reel an ascendency so as to I form a vertical thread path inclining toward an.

operator facing said series of reels, the topmost reel being at a height accessible to an operator, guide means for guiding thread from the topmost reel of each vertical series of reels at the accessible heighth to an operator, and a thread c01- lecting means horizontally spaced from each bank of reels the space forming a working area for an operator.

'7. An apparatus for spinning artificial filaments comprising, a coagulating bath, filament forming means positioned in said bath, a plurality of thread storing and advancing reels positioned above said bath for advancin said filaments, each reel of said plurality of reels being positioned generally in the same vertical plane and each extending beyond its predecessor in their vertical ascendency to from a thread path inclining toward an operator facing said reels, and means for collecting said filamentary material spaced and ahead of said reels, the thread being :passed from the last of a vertical plu-- rality of reels overhead to said collecting means.

8. An apparatus for spinning artificial filaments comprising, a coagulating bath, filament forming means positioned in said bath, a thread storing and advancing reel above said bath withdrawing and forwarding said filaments to a subsequent plurality of reels, a plurality of thread storing and advancing reels positioned above said positioned above a plurality of said reels for treating said filaments, one of said reels being adapted to dry said filaments, said filaments being completely processed when leaving the last of said reels, and each of said plurality of reels being positioned generally in the same vertical plane above said coagulating bath and each extending beyond a preceding reel in their ascendency, and a filament collecting means for collecting said completely processed filaments spaced horizontally from said plurality of reels at about the level of the lowermost of said reels.

10. An apparatus for spinning viscose rayon thread comprising, a coagulating bath, a withdrawing reel ior withdrawing thread from said bath positioned above said bath, a plurality of cantilever type thread storing and advancing reels positioned above said withdrawing reel and each reel of said plurality being forward of the preceding reel and in the same generally vertical plane, treating solution supply means above a plurality of said reels for treating said thread while it is stored and advanced, a drier reel for drying said thread in said plurality of reels, thread collecting means positioned adjacent and spaced from the unobstructed end of said thread store thread advancing reels, means for conducting said thread from said drier reel to said collecting means, and means adjacent said thread collecting means for supplying thread collecting devices for the collection of said thread.

11. An apparatus for spinning viscose rayon comprising, a coaguating bath, viscose forming means positioned in said bath, a thread storing and advancing reel positioned above said :fila ment forming means withdrawing and forwarding said filaments, a plurality of thread storing and advancing reels positioned above said withdrawing reel for processing and drying said formed viscose filaments, the first of said plurality adapted to receive and forward said filaments to each subsequent succeeding reel, each of said plurality of reels being positioned in generally the same vertical plane and each being ahead of the preceding reel in their ascendency, means for collecting said formed dried filaments, said collecting means positioned adjacent to and spaced from said plurality of reels, the space between said reels and sail thread collecting means formingthe working area for an operator, and means for leading said filaments to said collecting means across said space.

12. An apparatus for spinning viscose rayon comprising, a coagulating bath, viscose thread forming means positioned in said bath, a thread storing and advancing reel positioned above said thread forming means withdrawing and forwarding said thread, a plurality of thread storing and advancing reels positioned above said withdrawing reel, the first of said plurality adapted to receive and forward said thread to each subsequent succeeding reel the last of which being a drier reel, each of said plurality of reels being positioned in generally the same vertical plane and each being ahead of the preceding reel in their ascendency, a collecting means for collecting said dried thread positioned adjacent to and spaced from said plurality of reels, the space between said reels and said thread collecting means forming the working area for an operator, said dried thread passing from the last of said plurality of reels to said collecting means at an accessible heighth above an operator, and

meansfor leading said thread across said work ing area to said collecting means.

13. An apparatus for spinning viscose rayon comprising, a coagulating bath, viscose thread forming means positioned in said bath, a thread storing and advancing reel positioned above said thread forming means withdrawing and forwarding said thread, a plurality of thread storing and advancing reels for processing said thread positioned above said withdrawing reel, the first of said plurality adapted to receive and forward said thread to each subsequent succeeding reel to finally a drier reel the last of said plurality of reels, each of said plurality of reels being positioned in generally the same vertical plane and each being ahead of the preceding reel in their ascendency, a thread collecting means for collecting said dried thread positioned adjacent to and spaced from said plurality of reels, the space between said reels and said thread collecting means forming the working area for an operator, said dried thread passing from the drier reel to the collecting means at an accessible heighth, said accessible heighth being at substantially the level of the last'position'e'd drier reel, and means for leading said thread across said working area to said collecting means.

14. An apparatus for spinning viscose rayon comprising, a coagulating bath, viscose thread forming means positioned in said bath, a thread storing and advancing reel positioned above said thread forming means withdrawing and forwarding said thread, a plurality of thread storing and advancing reels for processingsaid rayon thread positioned above said withdrawing reel, the first of said plurality adapted to receive and forward said thread to each subsequent succeeding reel, the last of said plurality of reels drying said thread each of said plurality of reels being positioned substantially in the same vertical plane and each being ahead of the preceding reel in their ascendency, a collecting means for collecting the dried thread also positioned in substantially the same vertical plane adjacent to and spaced from said plurality of reels, the space between said reels and said thread collecting means forming the working area for an operator, said dried thread passing from the drier reel of said plurality of reels to said collecting means at an accessible heighth above an operator, and means for leading said thread across said working area to said collecting means. 15. An apparatus for spinning viscose rayon comprising, a coagulating bath positioned at substantially fioor level, viscose thread forming 9 being ahead of the preceding reel in their ascendency, a collecting means for collecting dried thread also positioned in substantially the same vertical plane adjacent to and spaced from said plurality of reels, the collecting means being positioned substantially at said bath level the space between said reels and said thread collecting means forming the working area for an operator, said dried thread passing from said drier reel to said collecting means at an operators accessible heighth, said accessible heighth being at substantially the level of the last of said vertical plurality of reels, and means for leading said thread across said working area to said collecting means.

16. An apparatus for spinning viscose rayon thread comprising, a longitudinally extending coagulating bath, a plurality of viscose thread forming means positioned in said bath, thread storing and advancing reels positioned above said thread forming means for withdrawing and forwarding said thread, a plurality of thread storing and advancing reels positioned above said withdrawing reels, the first reels of said plurality being adapted to receive and forward said 10 filaments to each subsequent succeeding reel, each of said plurality of reels above each thread forming means being positioned substantially in the same vertical plane and each being ahead of the preceding reel in their ascendency, a col-- lecting means for collecting thread advanced by each of said vertical plurality of reels positioned in generally the same vertical plane and adjacent to and spaced from said plurality of reels, the space between said reels and said thread collecting means forming the working area for an operator, and means for leading said filaments to said collecting means across saidspace.

KENNETH M. MCLELLAN. RICHARD W. STANLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this .patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Jannell Aug. 5, 1941 

5. AN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF VISCOSE RAYON THREADS COMPRISING, OPPOSING BANKS OF REELS RISING VERTICALLY AND INCLINING TOWARDS EACH OTHER, A PLURALITY OF A VERTICAL SERIES OF THREAD STORE, THREAD ADVANCING REELS FORMING SAID BANKS, A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING COAGULATING BATH UNDER THE LOWERMOST OF THE REELS OF SAID BANKS, THREAD FORMING MEANS IN SAID BATHS, THE THREAD FORMED BY SAID THREAD FORMING MEANS BEING WITHDRAWN BY THE LOWERMOST OF EACH VERTICAL SERIES OF REELS AND ADVANCED TO SUCCESSIVELY HIGHER POSITIONED REELS IN EACH OF THE SERIES, PROCESSING AND DRYING SAID THREAD WHILE ON SAID REELS, MEANS POSITIONED AT ABOUT THE TOP OF EACH OF THE BANKS OF REELS FOR GUIDING SAID THREAD FROM THE LAST OF THE THREAD STORE, THREAD ADVANCING DEVICES ON SAID BANKS TO ADJACENTLY POSITIONED THREAD COLLECTING MEANS, AND SAID THREAD COLLECTING MEANS BEING POSITIONED WITHIN SAID OPPOSING BANKS OF REELS AND SUBSTANTIALLY INTERMEDIATE SAID BANKS. 